The Frog Decline Reversal Project, Inc.

As someone interested in frogs, you have probably heard already that amphibians the world over are disappearing and, here in Far North Queensland, we are one of the world's "hot spots" for frog decline with several high-altitude species already feared extinct. On the coastal lowlands, species previously thought to be very common and secure are also losing ground rapidly. This is what is meant by 'frog decline' and it can apply to any frog species - not just those which are already classified as 'endangered' or 'rare'.

The situation in Cairns is becoming very dire for frogs and our Founding President, Deborah Pergolotti, wanted to do something measurable and proactive to help frogs. So many times, she has heard concerned people TALK about conservation and TELL the public how they have to do something to help the environment - but talk goes nowhere without action and a vehicle for action. Having volunteered for groups in many different environmental areas over a period of nearly 30 years, Deborah knew what she wanted and DID NOT want in a community group. When she decided to start up a new group to be based in Cairns, the setup was going to be decidedly different to most other groups.

The FDR Project, Inc. is a typical association with a committee, members and volunteers. But from there, it differs. Even our unusual name has been chosen to make it clear up front that we are different and to highlight the goal-driven nature of our activities. In the corporate world, a project is setup to accomplish a specific task such as create a new computer system or oversee the construction of an exhibit. A project should not 'chase its own tail' and become a self-perpetuating mechanism without an achievement at the end. The nature of a project is to achieve the goal which renders the project fulfilled (and therefore, terminated). We are a project that exists to reverse the downward spiral of frog populations in Cairns and enhance regional frog populations through education and increased awareness of the environment.

Our motto is perhaps, "We don't TALK about conservation - we DO it". We do not have a regular members' meeting once a month. Many groups find that such meetings are generally poorly attended and the challenge is always there to find an entertaining speaker and hope that they are actually able to make the meeting. We also do not produce a newsletter on a regular schedule, opting instead for a brief (1 to 4 page) update and activity rundown produced whenever it's necessary. We call our updates "What's Jumping" and send out at least three a year. In between these, emails and phone calls keep members in touch.

Instead of newsletters and meetings, we provide other benefits to our members. After you sign up for membership, you receive a kit with a series of educational fact sheets appropriate to frog issues in the tropics. Stationery items, stickers, and bookmarks are also included and renewals receive posters and other froggy items we find.

We run periodic workshops on various topics such as frog rescue and first aid, frog care, species identification, urban surveying and other topics related to our work. Training is also received on an on-going basis when members volunteer to help out in the FDR Project office and the Cairns Frog Hospital.

We encourage members to be active but being a 'financial member only' still helps our work. We have several activities which are already in progress and others which are planned for the future as our financial support grows. If you want to know more about us, start with our page on our Programs which will tell you HOW we are trying to reverse the decline of frogs in this area.